Wichita eagle., 1887-05-19

DIedAleaet itAillE5 over, ana the enemy s tire
growing Unpleasantly hot, Gen Stewart,
whose cool behavior greatly inspired the
men, took occasion to instruct us as to our
imminent duty. lie warned US as to the
Arab mode Of intimidation and loud noises.
"fou are bat 1899 men against about
5000 OF the enemy But keep cool; keep
close together. Above all things fire low.
and all viii be we'll
Just as he concluded he men arose ans
prepared 10 leave the zars5a By marching
straight on the wells; the right side OF the
square faced to the left the left side faced to
the right, wIii!e the rear faced right-about,
thus the Guaris we're in front OF course
You know that The British square Is always
four deep officers and all others in the
center
may rs wei state that on the previous
evening, as we were constructing our zareba,
Col Fred Bugnaby. of the Life Guards, that
restless knight errant. rode into our lines
alone, saying that he had come to re-en-
force Us.
All being ready, the bugle sounded the
advance, and we stepped out OF our inclo-
sure and marched straight to our front; but
when we had arrived within about 1000
yards Of the first rock OF the wells the halt
fire that was growing serious Falling III
again, we advanced, retired, wheeled and ex-
ecuted various nanWuvres, in order to draw
the enemy cut from their concealment, firing
an occasional round from our machine guns,
but could not succeed. They were well post
Ell behind and beyond the rocks that sur
round the wells, and refused to expose them
selves; but we knew that this silence on their
i a.. -
soon. We did not anticipate any boys play;
we had heard too much about the Arabs, and
knew our case was a desperate one, conse-
oUently cur commander acted very eau
tously.'
TELLING THE ENEMY.
AT last, seeing the futility of our mannli-
wiring, tie general decided to "feel7 them by
skirInisherS, and consequently ten files were
throw 0-f with orders to pick off any
shc' they might see, many Of
whom were present. as we could observe by
the numbers OF banners waving above the
rocks and the constant shifting of which led
us to believe that they contemplated some
sudden mischief The skir1nishers, as soon
rs they made choice Of positions, opened a
lively fusiiade on the banner bearers, and we
knew every shot told by seeing the banners
fall. At last the Arabs commenced to swarm
over the rocks and bodies of mounted men
appeared at the openings of defiles Instantly
the recall was sounded, and none too soon,
for as the skirmishers broke cover and raced
for the square three heavy columns Of Arab
cavalry burst out after them, also making
for our square.
prepare 10 receive cavalryi' now rang
nut. and instantly the square bristled with
steel. On came the fleeing skirmishers,
straight for the front Of the square, when
they had been told that in retreat they should
make for tie rear Of the square. As they
closed on the front with the standing ranks
OF the guards at the ready" Col Boscawen,
who had the voice of a bull, roared out;
Round TO the right! round to the right and
rear, you - fools, do you want your heads
blown OFF, They swerved around and cleared
our front when we poured in a volley, bring
ing the astonished enemy in our front up,
standing"
The skirm.sil5rs kept on around the square,
10 the rear, the Arabs after them, till they
reached the right rear corner, where they
sssayed to enter, and did enter, the Arabs in
hot pursuit, bearing every thing down before
them Wen might we al in the other parts
of the square exclaim with Koko in the
ness Bat it was no laughing matter, with
the wild fanatics cutting right and left. The
unlucky ceyahymen now attempted to make
amends for their mistake, officers and men
lighting with unexampled heroisn, but they
we're hewn to the earth by the dozen. 1t was
a perfec: paudemonium, Arabs shrie1ing,
British shouting and camels roaring tcamels
can roar: there is more roar to the square
inch in she camel than in the biggest lion
that breat hes, the crashing of nusketry and
the growing Of the machine guns as we
made it lively Cor the dancing dervishes who
were whirling around the outside of the
square
FEGTTING BACK TO BACK.
Part Of tbs must be stopped, the inside PER
formances particularly. So Boscawen-hs
of the loud vuice-roared oat: Guards and
marines! standing ranks-right about face
give 'em tie steel. Let no beggar escapei
Charge
Ut il we went; the square was closed. ]
must acknowledge that our men We're now
mad. We al felt that we must fight for our
lives Retreat was not to be thought Of; if
we did 50. where could we retreat to, cut off
as we were from all supports If we did not
win the day We must leave our bones in the
10 the boiling pitch. Each man felt as if he
must put forth the power Of giant, and as
a consequence the butchery was terrible
none dared to finch. Thus every man in the
square had to do his duty, for while the inside
resembled 9 volcano in active eruption, the
outside on llneeling ranks, had enough to do
70 keep tae other Arabs at a respectful dis
tance. The fighting was literally back 70
hack
StabbinS and gashing their horses, which
were damned in d mass, we quickly brought
them to the ground, riders and all, when the
latter were quickly dispatched by dozens Of
bavonets at once. The Arabs being packed
so tightly together, could neither use their
,ancas nor WELD their scimeters without
slashing each other, while we did not cease
our lunginc Us long as one breathed. at last
they were wiped out, and We again faced
outward and reopened fire, our weapons
meanwhile dripping. Five times the enemy
charged US with frantic cries and waving
banners, and rs many times we poured II
the mnrderous volleys-no shots wasted.
Meanwhile the battle ragged, the enemy
came on Ike waves not 10 be driven back,
but 70 lie beaten TO the earth. Horses and
men. they were piled In mounds; in fact, the
great numbers of their dead and wounded
interfereG with their movements, While the
slightest delay on their part insured certain
death, and it was now noticed from their
hesitation that they had lost heart As they
came or Tor the last time, the front or theJ
advance consisting entirely Of white robed
emirs and sheikhs, shouting, waving their
banners and pointing ct US, all our machine
guns opened a searching fire, supplemented
by hand clap volleys from the Martini
Henrys, and when the smoke lifted not live
Arab was 20 be seen within 500 yards-they
x-ar,a o1f stretched